The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-12-28
A Smile Found in the Changing Seasons
Harmony in the Home.
The Best Way For Yourg Couples to Got
Along Together.
Home Duties First With wOmen-A vigor.
Ous Fling at "woman's Rishts"-wife's
Duties-Husband's Place;
written Expressly for the sentinel.)
(Copyrighted, lSS7.)


appointed palace car, one can usually
dismiss all care and yield without a
scruple to the full enjoyment OF the posi-
ton, or indulge in patriotic illusions over
the lovely scenery. OF course, every one
is at liberty to believe that his own native
land, its mountains and rivers, its mighty
forests, or its secluded glens, far surpRss
those OF any other country. If in spring
time, when every tree or shrub is tipped
with the first delicate green leaf, from the
banks of the river 10 the highlands that
oyershadow it, we exclaim, 'This is the
most lovely season OF the year" But
summer steals in upon spring unaTares,
and when the rich green grass stands
ready for the scy the, and blossom or fruits
hang from every bough-ah this surpasses
spring. But early autumn approaches,
with her rich fields of corn and bending
grain, her orchards laden with fast ripen-
ing fruit Of every hue, and the forests, like
s5 esvs! g0Fg sSS with ays their 6b Gg
to confess that it has brought another
charm, and rivals summer. In the later
autumn the lights and shadows on the
mountains, the exquisite golden hues
changed for deepest russell, the dark red of
the ampelopsis blending with the marvel
lous green of the evergreens all caught by
the flashing river and thrown back in
broken-Tefected variety, give still keener
sense Of loyal admiration, But what of
midWinter-the earth in bridal attire,
every tree bending under the sprays of
diamonds-does not this serve to strengthen
our allegiance to "our own, our native
land" and we feel obliged to acknowledge
that, after all, there Is not half a kiss 10
choose" between the seasons as they pass
over the banks of our noble rivers, fertile
fields and mighty mountains?
SO, like the seasons, ever chaDgeful, now
with lights and then with shadows, is the
state of married life.
While many causes there are that bring
ripples on the calm and placid waters of
marital bliss, We believe that more married
unhappiness is caused by the failure Of
husband and wife to work together, unit
ing all their joint thoughts and efforts,
than to any other single reason. 1t is very
difficult for some young married couples to
understand that no home can be built up
or anything worth doing be done by one
alone. Husband and wife must build and
work together, otherwise happiness and
success will be lacking, The same power
that made them twain Of one flesh" so
bound them together that there should be
no thought Of my rights or thy rights, bat
ours unitedly. The father will be as richly
blessed for instilling correct habits and
principles into his chiIdren's minds, and as
severely condemned for wrong influence,
as the mother. Judging by much that is
said, the mother must be held more re-
sponsible for the children's characters and
principles than the father. We are aware
that We speak treason and heresy in the
estimation of some, but We are sure that
parents cannot hold divided response
bility.
Nursing and care, in the main, is the
mothers Office, no doubt, and in early in
fancy the mother has a closer intimacy, as
she must be more necessary to the child.
When little past infancy, in a loving
correctly organized family. and where the
children love each with equal ferYor, in
all questions OF weight both the mother
and children turn to the father for the
final decision. 1t is a sad household where
the hearts of mother and children do not
accept this SIS the natural and legitimate
character OF home government and educa-
tion,
Perhaps the mother may not always
accept her husbands decision with the
same faith with which the child receives
Ii, but this should never be seen 10y the
children. 1t is no evidence OF fear or
weak and tame submission because she
reserves her objections-which are often
corTect-until they can discuss the subject
alone. Arguments between parents should
always be avoided before their children.
a wife strengthens her husbands hands,
and his love also, If she simply Gays fDo
as your father says" or, Father knows
best" and by so doing she by no means
compromises her own conscience. This,
of course, when nothing wrong is involved,
but with good, conscientious people. J
When alone, IL they talk the matter over
in all true confidence and love, they will
surely find the bond which unites them
grow brighter and brighter, until the per-
feet day.
All attempts to build a true home will
fail II strife, discomfort, unrest and ain find
foothold, and these dire evils will surely
creep in if there is not united family
government.
II is seldom that mothers are peevish,
irritable, and ill-tempered with the little
ones. AS a general thing, the greatest
danger lies in the mothers unregulated
and uncontrolled tenderness. Nothing
can more certainly iDjure the child or
breed discord between the parents than
an attempt on the mothers part to shield
the child from such control as q
1udicious father sees necessary. Her dispo.
sition to shield the child warps her judg-
ment, and often. in speech and action, she
stands before her children opposed TO and
Unexpectedly disputing their fathers de-
Cision. IN such cases-and, unfortunate
ly, there are many-a good, conscientious
husband and father is placed in q very
painful position. II she opposes his judg-
ment before children and servants, how
can he control her speech or save his chill
dren from permanent injury? But il her
idolatrous love for her children has killed
bsr former love for her husband, he may
by love and tenderness open her eyes TO
her folly, show her wherein she Injuries
herself, ard loses the honor and dignity of
helping to build happy home. II he can
effect this the battle is won.
Every woman who takes conscience for
her guide has right to feel that home is
peculiarly Ewoman's kingdom, knowing
that all love, all pure thoughts, all reli-
gion and governments, il one would have
them flourish, must have its roots beneath
its altar. Let no wife who would be
loved, honored and happy forget that
home duties must ever stand first. No
matter what high, ambitious aspirations
may have impressed her before marriage,
or how high she may be conscious her
talents and influence are capable of reach.
ing, when that solemn VOW is taken that
makes the twain one-for "better or
worse before all else she must give
ali the energy and love she possesses {.
building o perfect home, and she must
never lose sight of this high vacations
She must be its mistress, but never 1t
slave. That she has made IL immscu-
late in cleanliness and resplendent In
beauty 10 not enough. She must feed the
love and truth which sheuld unitedly gov.
eTn 1t. What power Or dignity can reach